Response of a radiology department to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: the experience of the hospital “Policlinico Tor Vergata” in Rome

The dissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome linked to the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, prompted all health services to provide adequate measures to limit new cases that could affect healthcare professionals. Due to the large number of suspected patients subjected to CT scans and the proximity of radiologists to the patient during exams, radiologists as well as the entire staff of the radiology department are particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2. This article includes the emergency management procedures, the use of personal protective devices, and the rearrangement of exam rooms and of human resources in the department of radiology at “Policlinico Tor Vergata” in Rome performed during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We introduce the management measures that our department has taken to cope with the influx of patients while still ensuring the proper management of other emergencies and time-sensitive exams

Transperineal Laser Ablation (TPLA) Treatment of Focal Low–Intermediate Risk Prostate Cancer

background: this interventional pilot study aimed to evaluate the short-term (3 years) efficacy of focal laser ablation (FLA) in treating the index lesion of low–intermediate-risk prostate cancer, along with assessing the safety of the procedure (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04045756). methods: forty patients aged between 46 and 86 with histologically proven organ-confined prostate cancer and low-to-intermediate progression risk were included. FLA was performed under percutaneous fusion magnetic resonance/ultrasound guidance in a day hospital setting under local anesthesia. patients underwent regular clinical and functional assessments through the international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) and the International prostatism symptom score (IPSS), PSA measurements, post-procedure MRI scans, and biopsies at 36 months or if positive findings were detected earlier. statistical analyses were conducted to assess trends in PSA levels and cavity dimensions over time. results: forty patients were initially included, with fifteen lost to follow-up. At 36 months, a mean PSA reduction of 60% was observed, and 80% of MRI scans showed no signs of in-field clinically significant residual/recurrent cancer. biopsies at 36 months revealed no malignant findings in 20 patients. no deterioration in sexual function or urinary symptoms was recorded. conclusions: FLA appears to be safe, feasible, and effective in the index lesion treatment of low–intermediate-risk prostate cancer, with a high rate of tumor eradication and preservation of quality of life

Dioxin Exposure, from Infancy through Puberty, Produces Endocrine Disruption and Affects Human Semen Quality

BACKGROUND: Environmental toxicants are allegedly involved in decreasing semen quality in recent decades; however, definitive proof is not yet available. In 1976 an accident exposed residents in Seveso, Italy, to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate reproductive hormones and sperm quality in exposed males. METHODS: We studied 135 males exposed to TCDD at three age groups, infancy/prepuberty (1-9 years), puberty (10-17 years), and adulthood (18-26 years), and 184 healthy male comparisons using 1976 serum TCDD levels and semen quality and reproductive hormones from samples collected 22 years later. RESULTS: Relative to comparisons, 71 men (mean age at exposure, 6.2 years; median serum TCDD, 210 ppt) at 22-31 years of age showed reductions in sperm concentration (53.6 vs. 72.5 million/mL; p = 0.025); percent progressive motility (33.2% vs. 40.8%; p < 0.001); total motile sperm count (44.2 vs. 77.5 x 10(6); p = 0.018); estradiol (76.2 vs. 95.9 pmol/L; p = 0.001); and an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; 3.58 vs. 2.98 IU/L; p = 0.055). Forty-four men (mean age at exposure, 13.2 years; median serum TCDD, 164 ppt) at 32-39 years of age showed increased total sperm count (272 vs. 191.9 x 10(6); p = 0.042), total motile sperm count (105 vs. 64.9 x10(6); p = 0.036), FSH (4.1 vs. 3.2 UI/L; p = 0.038), and reduced estradiol (74.4 vs. 92.9 pmol/L; p < 0.001). No effects were observed in 20 men, 40-47 years of age, who were exposed to TCDD (median, 123 ppt) as adults (mean age at exposure, 21.5 years). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to TCDD in infancy reduces sperm concentration and motility, and an opposite effect is seen with exposure during puberty. Exposure in either period leads to permanent reduction of estradiol and increased FSH. These effects are permanent and occur at TCDD concentrations < 68 ppt, which is within one order of magnitude of those in the industrialized world in the 1970s and 1980s and may be responsible at least in part for the reported decrease in sperm quality, especially in younger men

The Dark Side of the Salad: Salmonella typhimurium Overcomes the Innate Immune Response of Arabidopsis thaliana and Shows an Endopathogenic Lifestyle

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium contaminated vegetables and fruits are considerable sources of human infections. Bacteria present in raw plant-derived nutrients cause salmonellosis, the world wide most spread food poisoning. This facultative endopathogen enters and replicates in host cells and actively suppresses host immune responses. Although Salmonella survives on plants, the underlying bacterial infection mechanisms are only poorly understood. In this report we investigated the possibility to use Arabidopsis thaliana as a genetically tractable host system to study Salmonella-plant interactions. Using green fluorescent protein (GFP) marked bacteria, we show here that Salmonella can infect various Arabidopsis tissues and proliferate in intracelullar cellular compartments. Salmonella infection of Arabidopsis cells can occur via intact shoot or root tissues resulting in wilting, chlorosis and eventually death of the infected organs. Arabidopsis reacts to Salmonella by inducing the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and enhanced expression of pathogenesis related (PR) genes. The induction of defense responses fails in plants that are compromised in ethylene or jasmonic acid signaling or in the MKK3-MPK6 MAPK pathway. These findings demonstrate that Arabidopsis represents a true host system for Salmonella, offering unique possibilities to study the interaction of this human pathogen with plants at the molecular level for developing novel drug targets and addressing current safety issues in human nutrition

La pianura campana come grande giardino

Il contributo del gruppo di lavoro, coeso all'inteno della giovane Facoltà di Aversa, si concentra sui caratteri del territorio dell'antica Capua, tentando un ridisegno funzionale della regolarissima trama centuriale che lo pervade. Il testo conferma il lavoro grafico, in due tavole (pagg.8-9), fatto dallo stesso gruppo di studio e inviato alla mostra internazionale UIA 1996.The contribution of the working group, cohesive all'inteno Young Faculty of Aversa, focuses on the characteristics of the territory of ancient Capua, attempting a redesign functional centurial very regular plot that pervades it. The report confirms the graphic work, two tables (pages 8-9), made ​​from the same study group and sent to the international exhibition UIA 1996

Direct metallization of PMMA with aluminum films using HIPIMS

Metallization of plastic parts today is mainly realized using electroplating. Within the European Union the use of chromium VI will be restricted by 2017 following the REACH directive. This besides other aspects like environmental friendliness is driving the development of alternatives. Evaporation as representative of physical vapor deposition PVD processing is the primarily used alternative. Nevertheless there are restrictions with respect to part size and throughput. The major challenge in evaporation is the realization of satisfying adhesion. In many cases chromate (Cr VI) based etch solutions, additional lacquers, or adhesion improving interface coatings have to be applied before metallization. Using ionized sputtering like high power impulse magnetron sputtering HIPIMS opens new horizons for cost effective, environmental friendly plastic metallization with excellent adhesion. First investigation using titanium as metal on different untreated plastics (PPSU, PEI, PEEK, PESU, PSU) showed significant adhesion improvement using a simple tape test for evaluation when comparing mid-frequency sputtering and HIPIMS. Further investigation on aluminum deposition on Plexiglas PMMA showed exciting results. Since PMMA is very sensitive to the UV radiation of technical plasmas, direct metallization of the surface by sputtering is conventionally not possible. Using ionized sputtering it is shown that the adhesion can be enhanced to excellent level passing a combined cross cut and tape test without any failure. The study of the interface reveals some insight in the responsible mechanisms. With increasing peak current in the HIPIMS discharge, i.e. increasing degree of ionized species forming the film, the adhesion is significantly improved. The failure mechanism changes from adhesive failure and poor adhesion to a cohesive failure and excellent adhesion. Furthermore a surface modification of the polymer is observed with increasing ionization. The PMMA surface reorganizes and roughens due to ions forming the film and additionally electrons providing local thermal annealing by recombination

[The adoption of local hygiene and building regulations and their update in a sample of 338 Italian municipalities]

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The adoption of local hygiene and building regulations and their update in a sample of 338 Italian municipalities

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